Admission Options

Da Vinci Explorer Pass = Best Value
Includes access to all of the Air Zoo's aircraft, permanent exhibits, rides, 4D theater experience, and full-motion flight simulators, a 20% discount on all Smithsonian merchandise in the Fly Buy Museum Store AND full access to the Air Zoo's amazing new exhibit Da Vinci: The Exhibition, which takes guests of all ages on a thrilling interactive and hands on journey through the life, inventions, and art of Leonardo da Vinci!

Additional Attractions:Tigers: Tracking a Legend - Visitors engage their senses of sight, sound, touch, and smell as they track a mother tiger and her two cubs through a collection of multi-sensory exhibits that highlight the physiology, behavior, and daily lives of these amazing animals.

The Air Zoo always needs volunteers! If you would like to volunteer your time, contact us!

2014 Enshrinees & Award Recipients

2014 MAHF Enshrinees

Col. Raymond Hunter
Col Hunter served over 31 years on active duty in the United States Air Force, which included a tour in Vietnam flying rescue missions as a Air Force Special Operations helicopter pilot. His contributions to aviation as a fixed & rotary wing pilot, Instructor, and Program Commander, and head of Air Force Reserve Officer Training at the University of Michigan, exemplify the traditions of the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. For a detailed biography of Col. Hunter, click HERE.

Elwood J. "Sam" Junkin
Sam Junkin was raised in Battle Creek Michigan, and is one of the founders of the Weaver Aircraft Company (WACO). Established in 1920, WACO is credited with huge technological advancements in the manufacturing of aircraft, both in regards to design and production methods, and remains one of the premier private aircraft producers to this day. For a detailed biography of Mr. Junkin, click HERE.

Col. Walker "Bud" Mahurin
Col Mahurin was born in Dowagiac, MI and was a quadruple Ace P-47 fighter pilot in World War II (20 3/4 victories) and was shot down and evaded capture in both the Pacific and European theaters. After earning an additonal 3 1/2 victories earned flying the F-86 Sabre in the Korean War. After being shot down in Korea, Col. Mahurin spent 16 months as a POW. After being released after the war, the Colonel used his experiences to help form the current USAF survival training.. After retiring from the Air Force in 1978, Col. Mahurin served as a Vice President with Rockwell International, and worked on the Apollo space programs. For a detailed biography on Col. Mahurin, click HERE.

Peter VandenBosch
A Michigan native, Peter VandenBosch served as a radio operator and gunner on a B-24 Liberator in World War II. After the war, Peter continued flying as a private pilot and embarked on a long, successful career in broadcasting, eventually owning several radio stations. Several years after retiring to Florida in the late 1980s, Mr. VandenBosch had an experience while fishing in the Gulf of Mexico that inspired him to return to Michigan in search of a "higher calling" he felt was waiting for him. A random call from an old friend set in motion a series of events that led to Mr. VandenBosch founding Wings of Mercy, an aviation-focused humanitarian organization that has changed thousands of lives. For a detailed biography on Peter VandenBosch, click HERE.